Rhode Island Bills

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 20, 2025

HB 5607: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Redefines “farm” by reducing the amount of revenue from farm products required to be sold from ten thousand ($10,000) to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500).

Mike Chippendale (R) Megan Cotter (D) Sherry Roberts (R) Brandon Potter (D) David Bennett (D)

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 20, 2025

HR 5834: HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, OFFICE OF ENERGY RESOURCES, AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO IDENTIFY ISSUES RELATED TO ELECTRIC RATES AND POTENTIAL RATE REFORM STRATEGIES

This House Resolution (HR 5834) respectfully requests Rhode Island's Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Office of Energy Resources (OER), and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to study how current electricity pricing impacts the state's climate goals. The agencies must examine rate structures that support building and transportation electrification while protecting low- and moderate-income households, assess how the 2025 Climate Action Strategy should address rates, and evaluate alternatives to current rate designs. They are required to submit findings and recommendations to the House by September 1, 2025. The resolution does not change laws but directs state agencies to investigate rate reforms needed for decarbonization.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 741: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- NOMINATION OF PARTY AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

Amends several statutes relating to elections and the dates for primaries and dates within which to file nomination papers and object to nomination papers.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 20, 2025

HB 5606: AN ACT RELATING TO FISH AND WILDLIFE -- HUNTING AND HUNTING SAFETY--WILDLIFE KILLING CONTEST

HB 5606 bans wildlife killing contests - where participants compete to kill animals like coyotes or foxes for cash, prizes, or other rewards - on both public and private lands in the state. It directly affects organizers, sponsors, promoters, and participants of such contests, including businesses or groups hosting these events. The bill includes exemptions for lawful hunting, wildlife damage control, and field trials permitted by wildlife authorities. Violators face fines starting at $500 for individuals and $1,000 for businesses, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 20, 2025

HB 5373: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Defines a quorum of the building code standards committee be a majority of the current board members and amends the state building code to require that sections provide that dwelling units from one to four (4) units use the international residential code.

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 20, 2025

HB 5815: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Establishes an intervenor support program to provide compensation for an intervenor who makes a substantial contribution to a proceeding resulting in a decision favorable to the interest of utility consumers.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 521: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- LOCAL CANVASSING AUTHORITIES

SB 521 establishes a clear process for filling vacancies in municipal election boards (called "local canvassing authorities") in Rhode Island cities and towns. It requires political party chairpersons to submit lists of eligible voters within 30 days of a vacancy, and mandates that mayors or council presidents nominate replacements from those lists within another 30 days. The bill also clarifies that board members serve staggered six-year terms expiring on March 1 in odd-numbered years, and directs city/town clerks to correct any term date errors immediately. This affects local election offices directly by ensuring consistent staffing for handling election results and voter registration.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SR 820: JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND PUBLISH AND SUBMIT TO THE ELECTORS A PROPOSITION OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION -- OF SUFFRAGE

SR 820 proposes a constitutional amendment to change voting eligibility rules in Rhode Island. It would remove the current 30-day state and local residency requirement for voting, instead requiring voters to be registered by election day. The amendment also maintains a 30-day residency requirement for candidates seeking office. This change would directly affect all eligible voters and candidates for state offices in Rhode Island, altering how residency and registration are handled under the state constitution.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 117: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Sets controls on Medicaid prescription drug costs by imposing transparency and accountability requirements on managed care organizations (MCOs) and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 20, 2025

HB 5821: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- REGULATORY POWERS OF ADMINISTRATION

Provides amendments to procedures necessary for approval of transactions between utilities by giving the public utilities commission jurisdiction; mandates public hearings, allows intervention by any interested party and provides for appeal.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 522: AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- CONDUCT OF ELECTION AND VOTING EQUIPMENT, AND SUPPLIES

SB 522 requires the state board of elections to publish all write-in votes for every office on its website, regardless of whether the candidate was qualified or if the votes affected the election outcome. This applies to every write-in vote cast in federal, state, and local races, including those reviewed by local election boards. The bill mandates that the state board report these votes in full detail, including any write-in votes that received fewer than five votes in a race. This change increases transparency around write-in voting by making all such votes publicly accessible, directly affecting voters who cast write-ins and election officials responsible for reporting.

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 19, 2025

SB 312: AN ACT RELATING TO HOLIDAYS AND DAYS OF SPECIAL OBSERVANCE -- HOLIDAYS

SB 312 would rename the state holiday observed on the second Monday of August from "Victory Day" to "Peace and Remembrance Day" in Rhode Island law. The bill directly affects state employees and official state communications, as it amends the statutory list of state holidays in the General Laws. Key provisions include replacing the current holiday name in Section 25-1-1 and repealing a prior provision (Section 25-1-1.3) that prohibited using other names for the holiday. This change is purely procedural, altering the official designation without creating new policies or funding.

Bill results